"What's really interesting about it," said church pastor the Rev. Evan McClanahan, "is that it narrows two competing world views down to the bare essentials. Either matter is all there is and human beings are no more than their physical bodies or human beings and possibly animals are more than their bodies. They are transcendent, possibly eternal, beings who use these bodies in a temporary way. That's what the debate will look at."

Hernandez, a Houston teacher's aide who holds degrees in theology and social science, described himself as a "popularizer" of religious truths. "I'm something of a bridge to the academic field of people who devote their lives to these types of philosophical issues and a translator for the general public," he said.

Dillahunty did not respond to inquiries about his beliefs, but on his Web page he describes himself as a longtime fundamentalist Christian who planned to enter the ministry. As he studied philosophy before entering seminary, though, he lost his faith.

"Reason forced me to acknowledge that my faith had not only been weakened by my studies ‑ it had been utterly destroyed," he wrote. "Having spent the majority of my life compartmentalizing my religious beliefs to keep them safe from skepticism, it's thrilling to leave the critical, investigative, hungry portion of my brain turned 'on.' While my own pursuit of knowledge is a powerful driving force in my life, I'd also like to prevent others from wasting another day on irrational beliefs."

The debate is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. A $5 admission donation is suggested.

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